A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that love God and are savingly called ... by Thomas Watson A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... Table of Contents About This Book. p. ii Title Page. p. 1 Extract from the Preface. p. 2 Introduction. p. 3 The best things work for good to the godly. p. 5 The worst things work for good to the godly. p. 12 Why all things work for good. p. 27 Of love to God. p. 34 The tests of love to God. p. 38 An exhortation to love God. p. 45 Effectual calling. p. 54 Exhortations to those who are called. p. 62 Concerning God's purpose. p. 65 Indexes. p. 67 Index of Scripture References. p. 67 iii A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... iv A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... A Divine Cordial By Thomas Watson 1663 A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... Extract from the preface Christian Reader, There are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is, to make the godly joyful. Dejection in the godly arises from a double spring: either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed. To cure both these troubles, I have put forth this ensuing piece, hoping, by the blessing of God, it will buoy up their desponding hearts, and make them look with a more pleasant aspect. I would prescribe them to take, now and then, a little of this Cordial: all things work together for good to them that love God. To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over. 2 A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... A Divine Cordial We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans viii. 28. Introduction IF the whole Scripture be the feast of the soul, as Ambrose said, then Romans 8 may be a dish at that feast, and with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of Gods people. In the preceding verses the apostle had been wading through the great doctrines of justification and adoption, mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the apostle touches upon that pleasant string of consolation, ªwe know that all things work together for good, to them that love God.º Not a word but is weighty; therefore I shall gather up every filing of this gold, that nothing be lost. In the text there are three general branches. First, a glorious privilege. All things work for good. Second, the persons interested in this privilege. They are doubly specified. They are lovers of God, they are called. Third, the origin and spring of this effectual calling, set down in these words, ªaccording to his purpose.º First, the glorious privilege. Here are two things to be considered. 1. The certainty of the privilege Ð ªWe know.º 2. The excellency of the privilege Ð ªAll things work together for good.º 1. The certainly of the privilege: ªWe know.º It is not a matter wavering or doubtful. The apostle does not say, We hope, or conjecture, but it is like an article in our creed, We know that all things work for good. Hence observe that the truths of the gospel are evident and infallible. A Christian may come not merely to a vague opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As axioms and aphorisms are evident to reason, so the truths of religion are evident to faith. ªWe know,º says the apostle. Though a Christian has not a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, yet he has a certain knowledge. ªWe see through a glass darklyº (I Cor. xiii. 12), therefore we have not perfection of knowledge; but ªwe behold with open faceº (2 Cor. iii. 18), therefore we have certainty. The Spirit of God imprints heavenly truths upon the heart, as with the point of a diamond. A Christian may know infallibly that there is an evil in sin, and a beauty in holiness. He may know that he is in the state of grace. ªWe know that we have passed from death to lifeº (I John iii. 14). 3 A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... He may know that he shall go to heaven. ªWe know that if our earthly tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavensº (2 Cor. v. l). The Lord does not leave His people at uncertainties in matters of salvation. The apostle says, We know. We have arrived at a holy confidence. We have both the Spirit of God, and our own experience, setting seal to it. Let us then not rest in scepticism or doubts, but labour to come to a certainty in the things of religion. As that martyr woman said, ªI cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ.º God knows whether we may be called forth to be witnesses to His truth; therefore it concerns us to be well grounded and confirmed in it. If we are doubting Christians, we shall be wavering Christians. Whence is apostasy, but from incredulity? Men first question the truth, and then fall from the truth. Oh, beg the Spirit of God, not only to anoint you, but to seal you (2 Cor. i. 22). 2. The excellency of the privilege, ªAll things work together for good.º This is as Jacob's staff in the hand of faith, with which we may walk cheerfully to the mount of God. What will satisfy or make us content, if this will not? All things work together for good. This expression ªwork togetherº refers to medicine. Several poisonous ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the patient. So all God's providences being divinely tempered and sanctified, do work together for the best to the saints. He who loves God and is called according to His purpose, may rest assured that every thing in the world shall be for his good. This is a Christian's cordial, which may warm him Ð make him like Jonathan who, when he had tasted the honey at the end of the rod, ªhis eyes were enlightenedº (I Sam. xiv. 27). Why should a Christian destroy himself? Why should he kill himself with care, when all things shall sweetly concur, yea, conspire for his good? The result of the text is this. All the various dealings of God with His children, do by a special providence turn to their good. ªAll the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenantº (Psalm xxv. 10). If every path has mercy in it, then it works for good. 4 A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... The best things work for good to the godly WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. ªUnderneath are the everlasting armsº (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah in the whale's belly? The three Hebrews in the furnace? Only the power of God. Is it not strange to see a bruised reed grow and flourish? How is a weak Christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty. ªMy strength is made perfect in weaknessº (2 Cor. xii. 9). The power of God works for us by supplying our wants. God creates comforts when means fail. He that brought food to the prophet Elijah by ravens, will bring sustenance to His people. God can preserve the ªoil in the cruseº (I Kings xvii. 14). The Lord made the sun on Ahaz's dial go ten degrees backward: so when our outward comforts are declining, and the sun is almost setting, God often causes a revival, and brings the sun many degrees backward. The power of God subdues our corruptions. ªHe will subdue our iniquitiesº (Micah vii. 19). Is your sin strong? God is powerful, He will break the head of this leviathan.